Window regulator

ABSTRACT

A rotary input type window regulator adapted to move a vehicle mounted window between open and closed positions with a single stroke of an operating handle, the window regulator including an operating handle supported on the body and pivotable through an angular range of less than 180*, a lift arm connected to the handle for unitary pivotal movement therewith, a flexible tapelike drive member connected to the lift arm and to the window, and guide members defining a path of motion for the driver member including a first run extending in a circular arc about the pivot axis of the lift arm and having a radius equal to the length of the lift arm and a second run extending generally parallel to the path of motion traversed by the window. The length of the lift arm is predetermined to effect bodily movement of the drive member sufficient to completely open or close the window in response to pivotal movement of the handle through its angular range.

United States Patent Podolan [451 Nov. 7, 1972 [s41 wmnow' REGULATOR I[72] Inventor: Edward G. Podolan, Utica, Mich.

[58] Field of Search ..49/40, 227, 324, 325, 348, 49/350-353, 360-363,372-375 [56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 1,9806/1894 Great Britain ..49/352 252,539 2/1967 Austria ..49/325 D1 3960 4/1956 Germany ..49/352 Primary Examiner-J. Karl Bell Attorney-W. E.Finken et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A rotary input type window regulator adapted to move avehicle mounted window between open and closed positions with a singlestroke of an operating handle, the window regulator including anoperating handle supported on the body and pivotable through an angularrange of less than 180, a lift arm connected to the handle for unitarypivotal movement therewith, a flexible tape-like drive member connectedto the lift arm and to the window, and guide members defining a path ofmotion for the driver member including a first run extending in acircular are about the pivot axis of the lift arm and having a radiusequal to the length of the lift arm and a second run extending generallyparallel to the path of motion traversed by the window. The length ofthe lift arm is predetermined to effect bodily movement of the drivemember sufficient to completely open or close the window in response topivotal movement of the handle through its angular range.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED 7 I973 3.702.041

sum 1 or 3 I N VEN TOR.

'du/ara Poao/an BY w ATTORNE WINDOWREGULATOR This invention relatesgenerally to vehicle window regulators and more particularly to animproved rotary input type regulator adapted to fully raise or lower awindow with a single stroke of the operating handle.

In typical automobile door window installations theportion of the doorbelow the window opening serves as a storage well for the window whenthe latter is open and as the housing for the window regulator mechanismwhich moves the window between the open and the closed positions. Spacewithin the door is, of course, at a premium and, consequently theaddition of an internal side guard beam which protects the vehiclesoccupants from side impacts has made the task of designing an economicaland compact window regulator more difficult. Typical cross-arm orparallel linkage type window regulators are expensive and consumesubstantial volume within the door. Typical flexible drive typeregulators, while consuming less space, have rotary input arrangementswhich require a number of complete turns of the operating handle or acomplicated pulley system supporting an endless drive member. A windowregulator according to this invention represents an improvement overthese known structures in that it consumes a minimum amount of spacewithin the door, is economical to manufacture, and requiressubstantially less than one I complete revolution of the rotary inputoperating handle to effect complete opening or closing of the window.

The primary feature, then, of this invention is that it provides animproved window regulator mechanism particularly adapted for use withdoor mounted vehicle windows. Another feature of this invention is thatit provides an improved window regulator of the rotary input typewherein a flexible drive member of finite length is connected to thewindow and to a handle such that pivotal movement of the handle throughan angle of less than 180 effects full movement of the window betweenthe open and closed positions thereof. Still other features of thisinvention reside in the provision in the window regulator of a lift armhaving one end connected to the drive member and supported on the doorfor unitary pivotal movement with the handle and in the provision ofguide means supporting the drive member and defining a path of motiontherefor including a first run extending in a circular are about thepivot axis of the lift arm, the lift arm having a length predeterminedto insure complete movement of the window between the open and closedpositions in response to pivotal movement of the handle through an angleof less than 180 These and other features of this invention will bereadily apparent from the following specification and from the drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary partially broken away side elevational view ofan automobile vehicle body having thereon a window regulator accordingto this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1 showing the windowregulator in the position thereof corresponding to the open position ofthe window;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the planeindicated by lines 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the planeindicated by lines 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view taken generally along the plane indicated bylines 5-5 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated bylines 6-6 in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there shown is an automobilevehicle body-designated generally 10 including a roof structure 12supported above a left quarter panel structure 14 by a left sail panel15 and above a left front fender 16 by a left from body pillar 18. Aleft front door 20 is vertically hinged on the vehicle body in the dooropening defined between quarter panel structure 14 and fender l6 andextends upwardly to the vehicle beltline 22. A right, front door 24 issimilarly swingably mounted on the opposite side of the vehicle body andhas supported thereon by conventional guide means, not shown, a window26 adapted for generally vertical bodily movement between a closedposition, FIG. 1, closing the upper portion of the door opening betweenthe roof structure 12 and the beltline 22 and an open position, FIGS. 2and 4, stowed within the door. A window regulator according to thisinvention and designated generally 28 is provided on door 24 andfunctions as; described hereinafter to move the window 26 between theopen and closed position, it being understood that an identical windowregulator is provided on the left door 20 for raising and loweringwindow supported on the latter.

Referring particularly to FIG. 4, the right door 24 includes an outerpanel 30 and an inner panel 32 hem flanged to the outer panel in aconventional manner to form a well 34 therebetween' having alongitudinally extending slot 36 at the top thereof, the slot beinglined by a pair of conventional seal strips 38 and the inner panel beingcovered by a decorative trim panel 40. A longitudinally extending guardbeam 42 is rigidly supported on the door generally at the top of thewell 34 to protect the occupants of the vehicle from side impacts.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the window regulator 28 includes asupport plate 44 rigidly attached to the inner panel 32 by conventionalmeans,'not shown, and spaced therefrom by spacers 46. The plate 44rigidly supports a window regulator clutch assembly 48 which projectsoutwardly from the plate through an aperture 50 in the inner panel 32and through the trim panel 40. For a full and complete description ofthe clutch 48 reference may be made to US. Pat. No. 3,110,380, issued inthe name of B. F. Meyers, et al., on Nov. 12, 1963 and assigned to theassignee of this invention. Generally, the clutch 48 includes acylindrical housing 52 rotatably supporting a connecting unit 54 havingan input spindle 56 and and output spindle 58. A coil torsion spring 60is disposed between the housing 52 and the connecting unit 54 andcooperates with the latter in permitting unitary rotation of the inputand output spindles in response to a rotary force input at the inputspindle and in preventing rotation of the input and out-. put spindlesin response to a rotary force input at the output spindle.

Referring again to'FIGS. 3 and 4, a handle 62 is rigidly attached to theinput spindle 56 on one side of the trim panel 40 and a hub member 64 isrigidly attached to the output spindle interiorly of the door. The hubmember 64 rigidly supports a lift arm 66 and is rotatably journaled in abearing member 68 attached to a support flange 70 affixed to the plate44. Accordingly, when a rotary force input is applied to the handle 62unitary rotation of the latter with the lift arm 66 is effected while arotary force input at the lift arm 66 effects locking of the clutch 48to prevent rotary movement of the lift arm and the handle. A coil spring72 has one end rigidly affixed to a support 74 attached to the supportplate 44 by a bracket 76 and the other end overlying a pin 78 affixed tothe lift arm 66 and projecting rigidly therefrom so that 'the lift armis biased in a counterclockwise direction, FIG. 2.

As seen best in FIGS. 2 and 4, the window regulator 28 further includesa pair of generally flat, channel shaped guide members 79 and 80 havingmouth portions 81 and 82 respectively. The guide members are rigidlymounted on the door 20 by a plurality of brackets and slidably support aflexible. tape-like drive member 84 having a first end 86, FIG. 4,and asecond end 88, FIG. 5. The guide member 79 is disposed generallytransversely of the door and defines a first run 90 including a circulararc about the axis defined by output spindle 58 of radius generallyequal to the length of lift arm 66. The guide member 80 is disposedgenerally longitudinally of the door and defines a second run 92generally parallel to the path of motion traversed by the window, thesecond run being situated on the opposite side of the guard beam 42fromthe first run. The guide members closely support the drive member 84 sothat the latter is operative to transfer to second end 88 tensile andcompressive forces applied at first end 86.

As best seen in FIG. 3, a yoke 93 rigidly attached to drive member 84adjacent first end 86 thereof projects out of the guide member 79through mouth portion 81 and is connected to the distal end of lift arm66 by a drive pin 94 rigidly attached to the lift arm and receive in aslot 95 in the yoke. Accordingly, torque applied to the lift arm tendingto rotate the latter in either direction generates tensile orcompressive forces on the drive member at the first end thereof tendingto bodily shift the drive member relative to the guide members.

As seen best in FIGS. and 6, the drive member 84 adjacent the second end88 thereof is connected to the window through a sash plate 96 rigidlyattached to the lower end of the window by a plurality of fasteners 98.The sash plate 96 has secured thereto by screws 100 a pair of plasticguides 102 which straddle the guide member 80. A rigid pin 104 projectsgenerally perpendicularly to the plane of the drive member 84 throughmouth portion 82 of the guide member 80 and is braced in thelongitudinal direction by a block 106 affixed to the drive member. Thepin 104 projects through an aperture in the sash plate 96 situatedbetween the plastic guides 102 and is retained thereon by a headedfastener 108 threadedly received in the end of the pin. Accordingly,vertical movement of the second end 88 of the drive member 84 along thesecond run defined by guide member 80 is accompanied by correspondingvertical bodily movement of the window.

Describing now a typical operational sequence of the window regulator28, when the window is in the closed position thereof, FIG. 1, theweight thereof places the drive member in compression from thesecond tothe first end resulting in a rotary force input at the lift arm which isresisted by the clutch 48. When it is desired to fully open the window,the handle 62 is grasped and pivoted clockwise, FIG. 1, through an angleof substantially less than such movement being accompanied bycorresponding unitary pivotal movement of the lift arm 66. The rotaryforce input at the handle 62 results in a tensile force on the drivemember applied at the first end 86 thereof which is, of course,simultaneously applied to the window in a vertical direction, thetensile force initiating concurrent bodily movement of the drive memberand the window. The length of the lift arm 66 and the angle throughwhich the handle 62 is pivoted are predetermined to insure that thearcuate distance throughwhich pin 94 on the lift arm travels equals thevertical distance traversed by the window during movement between theopen and closed positions. Accordingly, one single stroke of the handleis sufficient to effect full movement of the window from the closed tothe open position thereof, FIGS..2 and 4. When it is desired to closethe window the above procedure is merely reversed, it being understoodthat the window can be stopped in any intermediate position and heldtherein by the clutch 48.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. In a vehiclebody having a window opening and a window supported thereon for bodilymovement between a closed position in said opening and an open positionremote from said opening, a window regulator comprising, a handlesupported on said vehicle body for pivotal movement about a fixed axisof the latter through a predetermined angular range less than 180, alift arm supported on said vehicle body for pivotal movement about saidfixed axis, means connecting said handle and said lift arm for unitarypivotal movement, a flexible drive member of finite length adapted totransmit forces in tension and in compression, guide means on saidvehicle body defining a path of motion for said drive member including afirst run disposed in a circular arc of predetermined radius about saidfixed axis and a second run extending generally parallel to the path ofmotion of said window, the length of a sector of said circular arcsubtended by an angle equal to said predetermined angular range of saidhandle being substantially equal to the distance traversed by saidwindow during movement of the latter between the open and the closedpositions, said drive member being disposed in said guide means forbodily movement in the pathv of motion defined thereby, means attachingsaid drive member to said lift arm, and means attaching said drivemember to said window so that pivotal movement of said lift arm throughsaid predetermined angular range in response to corresponding pivotalmovement of said handle effects bodily movement of said window betweenthe open and the closed positions thereof.

2. In a vehicle body having a window opening and a window supportedthereon for bodily movement between a closed position in said openingand an open position remote from said opening, a window regulatorcomprising, a handle supported on said vehicle body for pivotal movementabout a fixed axis of the latter through a predetermined angularrangeless than 180, a lift arm of predetermined length supported on saidvehicle body for pivotal movement about sad fixed axis, means connectingsaid handle and said lift arm for unitary pivotal movement, a generallyflat tape-like flexible drive member adapted to transmit forces intension and in compression having a first end and a second end, guidemeans on said vehicle body defining a path of motion for said drivemember including a first run disposed in a circular arc about said fixedaxis of radius generally equal to the length of said lift arm and asecond run extending generally parallel to the path of motion of saidwindow, the length of a sector of said circular arc subtended by anangle equal to said predetermined angular range of said handle beingsubstantially equal to the distance traversed by said window duringmovement of the latter between the open and the closed positions, saiddrive member being supported on guide means for bodily shiftablemovement during which said first end traverses a path of motion definedby said first run and said second end traverses a path of motion definedby said second run, means attaching said first end of said drive memberto said lift arm and means attaching said second end of said drivemember to said window so that pivotal movement of said lift arm throughsaid predetermined angular range in response to corresponding pivotalmovement of said handle effects bodily movement of said window betweenthe open and the closed positions thereof.

3. In a vehicle body having a door supported thereon for swingingmovement between an open position and a closed position defining awindow opening in said vehicle body, a generally horizontal guard beamrigidly disposed within said door below said window opening, and awindow supported on said door for generally vertical bodily movementbetween a raised position closing said window opening and a loweredposition situated within said door remote from said window opening, awindow regulator comprising, a handle supported on said door for pivotalmovement about a fixed axis of the latter through a predeterminedangular range less than 180, a lift arm of predetermined lengthsupported on said door for pivotal movement about said fixed axis,clutch means connecting said handle and said lift arm and adapted topivot the latter as a unit with the former in response to a rotary forceinput at said handle and to prevent pivotal movement of said lift arm inresponse to a rotary force input at said lift arm, a generally flattape-like flexible drive member adapted to transmit forces in tensionand in compression having a first end and a second end, a first channelshaped guide member supported on said door on one side of said guardbeam with a portion thereof disposed in a circular are about said fixedaxis of radius generally equal to the length of said lift arm, thelength of a sector of said circular arc subtended by an angle equal tosaid predetermined angular range of said handle being substantiallyequal to the distance traversed by said window during movement of thelatter between the open and the closed positions, a second channelshaped guide member supported on said door with a portion thereofdisposed on the opposite side of said guard beam in generally parallelrelation to the path of motion traversed by said window, said drivemember being supported on said first and said second guide members forbodily shiftable movement during which said first end traverses a pathof motion defined by said arcuate portion of first guide member and saidsecond end traverses a path of motion defined by said parallel portionof said second guide member, a yoke rigidly atthdt 'dd' m bd'cents'dfirsted t re of, g rigidly? att he d t?) ifie distal end ofseiid lift arm, said pin being captured by said yoke so that pivotalmovement of said lift arm effects bodily shiftable movement of saiddrive member in the path of motion defined by said guide members, andmeans attaching said second end of said drive member to said window sothat pivotal movement of said lift ami corresponding to pivotal movementof said handle through said predetermined angular range effects bodilymovement of said window between the open and the closed positionsthereof.

1. In a vehicle body having a window opening and a window supportedthereon for bodily movement between a closed position in said openingand an open position remote from said opening, a window regulatorcomprising, a handle supported on said vehicle body for pivotal movementabout a fixed axis of the latter through a predetermined angular rangeless than 180*, a lift arm supported on said vehicle body for pivotalmovement about said fixed axis, means connecting said handle and saidlift arm for unitary pivotal movement, a flexible drive member of finitelength adapted to transmit forces in tension and in compression, guidemeans on said vehicle body defining a path of motion for said drivemember including a first run disposed in a circular arc of predeterminedradius about said fixed axis and a second run extending generallyparallel to the path of motion of said window, the length of a sector ofsaid circular arc subtended by an angle equal to said predeterminedangular range of said handle being substantially equal to the distancetraversed by said window during movement of the latter between the openand the closed positions, said drive member being disposed in said guidemeans for bodily movement in the path of motion defined thereby, meansattaching said drive member to said lift arm, and means attaching saiddrive member to said window so that pivotal movement of said lift armthrough said predetermined angular range in response to correspondingpivotal movement of said handle effects bodily movement of said windowbetween the open and the closed positions thereof.
 2. In a vehicle bodyhaving a window opening and a window supported thereon for bodilymovement between a closed position in said opening and an open positionremote from said opening, a window regulator comprising, a handlesupported on said vehicle body for pivotal movement about a fixed axisof the latter through a predetermined angular range less than 180*, alift arm of predetermined length supported on said vehicle body forpivotal movement about sad fixed axis, means connecting said handle andsaid lift arm for unitary pivotal movement, a generally flat tape-likeflexible drive member adapted to transmit forces in tension and incompression having a first end and a second end, guide means on saidvehicle body defining a path of motion for said drive member including afirst run disposed in a circular arc about said fixed axis of radiusgenerally equal to the length of said lift arm and a second runextending generally parallel to the path of motion of said window, thelength of a sector of said circular arc subtended by an angle equal tosaid predetermined angular range of said handle being substantiallyequal to the distance traversed by said window during movement of thelatter between the open and the closed positions, said drive memberbeing supported on guide means for bodily shiftable movement duringwhich said first end traverses a path of motion defined by said firstrun and said second end traverses a path of motion defined by saidsecond run, means attaching said first end of said drive member to saidlift arm and means attaching said second end of said drive member tosaid window so that pivotal movement of said lift arm through saidpredetermined angular range in response to corresponding pivotalmovement of said handle effects bodily movement of said window betweenthe open and the closed positions thereof.
 3. In a vehicle body having adoor supported thereon for swinging movement between an open positionand a closed position defining a window opening in said vehicle body, agenerally horizontal guard beam rigidly disposed within said door belowsaid window opening, and a window supported on said door for generallyvertical bodily movement between a raised position closing said windowopening and a lowered position situated within said door remote fromsaid window opening, a window regulator comprising, a handle supportedon said door for pivotal movement about a fixed axis of the latterthrough a predetermined angular range less than 180*, a lift arm ofpredetermined length supported on said door for pivotal movement aboutsaid fixed axis, clutch means connecting said handle and said lift armand adapted to pivot the latter as a unit with the former in response toa rotary force input at said handle and to prevent pivotal movement ofsaid lift arm in response to a rotary force input at said lift arm, agenerally flat tape-like flexible drive member adapted to transmitforces in tension and in compression having a first end and a secondend, a first channel shaped guide member supported on said door on oneside of said guard beam with a portion thereof disposed in a circulararc about said fixed axis of radius generally equal to the length ofsaid lift arm, the length of a sector of said circular arc subtended byan angle equal to said predetermined angular range of said handle beingsubstantially equal to the distance traversed by said window duringmovement of the latter between the open and the closed positions, asecond channel shaped guide member supported on said door with a portionthereof disposed on the opposite side of said guard beam in generallyparallel relation to the path of motion traversed by said window, saiddrive member being supported on said first and said second guide membersfor bodily shiftable movement during which said first end traverses apath of motion defined by said arcuate portion of first guide member andsaid second end traverses a path of motion defined by said parallelportion of said second guide member, a yoke rigidly attached to saiddrive member adjacent said first end thereof, a pin rigidly attached tothe distal end of said lift arm, said pin being captured by said yoke sothat pivotal movement of said lift arm effects bodily shiftable movementof said drive member in the path of motion defined by said guidemembers, and means attaching said second end of said drive member tosaid window so that pivotal movement of said lift arm corresponding topivotal movement of said handle through said predetermined angular rangeeffects bodily movement of said window between the open and the closedpositions thereof.